Cleaning device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices face challenges in simultaneously operating vacuum and steam functions effectively, leading to reduced effectiveness and convenience due to moisture issues and dirt collection problems, and they often require frequent fluid replenishment and drainage.
Innovation Solution
A compact cleaning device with a surface interaction layer that supplies cleaning fluid and drains dirty fluid using underpressure, eliminating the need for fluid storage and ensuring clean fluid usage by separating cleaning and dirty fluid containers, and utilizing materials like microfiber cloths or chamois for efficient fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If cleaning fluid is stored in a reservoir for repeated use, then the device can operate without frequent fluid replenishment, but the device complexity and volume increase due to additional storage components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fluid storage function from the cleaning device itself and relocates it to an external bucket or container. The cleaning device only retains the essential cleaning components (cleaning head, fluid delivery mechanism, and collection reservoir), while the bulk storage is performed externally. This reduces device complexity while eliminating frequent replenishment needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection reservoir serves multiple functions: it collects dirty fluid during cleaning operations, stores clean fluid for subsequent use, and can be emptied and reused. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage containers while reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If cleaning fluid is continuously supplied to the surface interaction layer, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but the risk of moisture traveling into air flow conduits and forming grime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fluid management system into distinct zones: a cleaning fluid supply path, a surface interaction zone, and a dirty fluid collection path. The collection reservoir is positioned and designed to prevent moisture from the cleaning zone from traveling into the vacuum air flow conduits, thus preventing grime formation while maintaining continuous cleaning fluid supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection reservoir acts as an intermediary barrier between the cleaning fluid zone and the vacuum system. It captures and contains moisture and dirty fluid, preventing them from entering the air flow conduits where they would mix with debris to form grime.
3Device complexity
If a single fluid container is used for both cleaning and dirty fluid, then device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness decreases due to fluid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements local quality differentiation within the collection reservoir by creating distinct regions for clean and dirty fluid. The reservoir is designed with separate zones or compartments that maintain fluid separation, ensuring that cleaning fluid remains clean while dirty fluid is collected and removed. This maintains cleaning effectiveness without requiring completely separate containers.
4Loss of time
If the surface interaction layer has fluid storage capacity, then it can operate independently without frequent bucket dipping, but the layer thickness and device volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fluid storage function from the surface interaction layer and relocates it to an external bucket or collection reservoir. The surface interaction layer maintains only the minimum fluid necessary for immediate cleaning contact, while the bulk storage is performed externally. This keeps the device compact while eliminating frequent bucket dipping.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides continuous and effective cleaning with clean fluid, reducing mess and improving convenience by maintaining clean fluid supply and efficient drainage, enhancing cleaning performance and reducing the need for frequent bucket dipping.
Implementation Method 1
a dirty fluid drain unit (DFC) at the surface interaction layer ML, which is connected to a dirty fluid container and which has an arrangement for applying underpressure in the cleaning fluid channel (CFC) so as to transfer the cleaning fluid and the dirty fluid from the surface interaction layer (ML) into the fluid container
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning fluid supply unit (CFC) at the surface interaction layer ML, which is connected to a cleaning fluid container and which delivers cleaning fluid to the surface interaction layer (ML)
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device comprises a surface interaction layer (ML), a cleaning fluid supply (CFF) provided with a cleaning fluid channel (CFC) at the surface interaction layer (ML) for supplying a cleaning fluid to a surface (F) through the surface interaction layer (ML) being in contact with the surface (F), and a dirty fluid drain (DFD) having a dirty fluid channel (DFC) at the surface interaction layer (ML) for draining, by means of underpressure, dirty water from the surface (F) through the surface interaction layer (ML) being in contact with the surface (F).